Apple licensed iOS name from Cisco

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Apple is pretty good about coming up with names for its hardware or applications that begin with an “i”. The only problem is that sometimes those names are already taken. Take the iPhone for example. Great name for Apple’s first mobile phone when launched. The only problem at the time was the iPhone was already owned and being used by Cisco leading to a lawsuit and an eventual settlement allowing Apple to use the now popular iPhone name.

Not surprisingly, when it came to the iPhone OS needing a new name Apple went back to the same well. Undoubtedly the iPhone OS was in need of a new name since it is the same OS being used on the iPad and iPod touch. The new name? The iOS. The problem? It too was already owned by Cisco.

iOS shouldn’t be new to anyone who has been on a Cisco router since IOS has been the name of Cisco’s core operating system for 20 years. Clearly, out of the goodness of their own heart, and no doubt with some undisclosed financial benefits, Cisco licensed the iOS trademark to Apple to use to describe its operating system. This time around it seems Apple actually talked to Cisco before announcing the new name.

Who would have thought that simply coming up with cool trademarks would have benefited Cisco financially?